Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

For the last several years a pair of Oystercatchers have called South Beach at Compo home where there are not that many natural predators and have nested and attempted to raise their families. Chicks have hatched in years past but it is not well known what their success rate is as to their survival. This pair did hatch chicks this year. Two were spotted a couple of weeks ago, however there was no sign of the babies last week when these photos were taken. This pair for some reason has chosen Compo’s South Beach instead of nesting on one of the islands off of the coast of Connecticut where many of their species can be found.

After sitting quietly in the sand for some time, this bird decided it was time to stroll down to the waterline to search for something to eat. She looks carefully and spots her target, quickly plucking a mollusk of some kind from between the rocks.

AllAboutBirds.org describes these beauties this way, “A boldly patterned shorebird with red-yellow eyes and a vivid red-orange bill, American Oystercatchers survive almost exclusively on shellfish—clams, oysters, and other saltwater molluscs.” and they add, “American Oystercatchers are the only birds in their environment with the ability to open large molluscs such as clams and oysters (except for large gulls that drop clams onto pavement).” They caution, however, “American Oystercatchers don’t always win out in their battles against oysters and clams. Occasionally, a shellfish gets its revenge by clamping down on an oystercatcher’s bill and holding the bird tight.”

Named Oystercatchers in 1731 by English naturalist Mark CatesbyThe Amrican Oystercatcher is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the state of CT erects "fencing" wire and signs warning viewers and beachgoers to keep their distance to encourage successful breeding.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Named Oystercatchers in 1731 by English naturalist Mark CatesbyThe Amrican Oystercatcher is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the state of CT erects "fencing" wire and signs warning viewers and beachgoers to keep their distance to encourage successful breeding.

After enjoying it’s snack it was time to clean those feathers, splashing and spraying water.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.